The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-01-13

Less adjustment bonds Cancelled. $4,000 90
These statements show an increase in these
funds in two years Of 81. 3e2, 6lOS 81. and an ag-
vet remain unsold of the congressional grant Of
land from which these funds are derived (esti-
mating the full grant to common schools at
school grant, IS. s23 acres in the -: university
grant, and 175. 3l7 in the internal Improvement
land grant. 1t seems likely that former esti-
mates Of the ultimate Accommodations of these
funds will be realized. and that when I'LL the
lands are disposed Of tho permanent school
fund will amount to fully $1s,O0O.OOO. the uni
versity fund to over ~; oo0Oo and tho ia
100000
The Indebtedness OF the state is represented
by the following issues of bonds:
Railroad adjustment bonds, issue
of 1881, due in twenty and redeem
able in ten years, 4le per cent -. SO. 9G5. 900
Revenue bonds, issue OF 1888, re-
deenable at the pleasure Of the
state, 4la por cent. Gl,OOO
Total 81, o26 600
The state debt has been reduced in two years
$!57, COO by the redemption of $4,000 Of rev.
enue bonds and the cancellation or $500. 900 OF
adjust ment bonds, held by the internal i'm
provement land fund. The balance of the rev.
enue bonds. $4,000, will redeemed from the
revenues Of the current fiscal year. The inter-
nal Improvement lard fund is practically sink
lag fund for he redemption Of the railroad cd
justmcnt bonds That tunL now holds securities
to the amount of 81 1913 G27 The balance OF
lands belonging to this fund will, when sold.
add more than a million dollars to this accumu-
lation. and thus reduce the state debt due with
out taxation to less than 81 ,5OO,OOO
EDUCATION.
The superintendent Of public instruction re-
ports that in all departments OF our eluca-
tional system there ha: been uninterrupted
prosperity" He: however. notes some defects
which dsracs f1? its workns
legislation "a will secure Its moro perfect organ
izaton. I would especially call attention TO his
recommendation that tho common school organi-
cation be changed from the district to tho town.
succinctly set for in the superinrend-
enH report and ;z his s,so
that the school dis riot or township furnish
text books free to all pupils is in the line OF 1ol
icy OF the state that our common schools shall
riol al the term. From a table in the suDrein-
tcndent rseport, showing the general distrbu-
ton OF the expense OF instruction" it appears
that with much higher rate of local taxation
the country districts OF the state expend less
Ter scholar than those in the cities and towns,
Notwithstanding the children in the latter re-
each year. These facts prove that the property
Of the country is bearing al nequitable burden
OF taxat!en for educational purposes When we
direct tax all ether departments of education.
but is giving directly no such aid to the common
schools" (the present One-mill tax being simply
compulsory local taxi the thought is sug-
Cested that we are neglectins the great source
OF education for the people. The super
intendent's Recommendation in this con-
ncction that special tax Of one mill be levied
for the benefit Of the common schools of the
state to be added to the present appcrtionment
from the income Of the permanent fund, is COM
mended to your favorable consideration. Tho
theory OF our system Is that the greatest posi-
BILE facility for an education shall be offered
every child in the state. The greatest burdens
society bears are the outgrowths CT ignorance
and the vices with which it is associated, and
for their relief preventive influences which edu
cation provides are surely more effective than
the curative measures furnished bv our reforma-
tory and penal institutions. The education of
the masses is limited to the instruction received
in the common schools. COMPARATIVELY few
reach the high schools or the university. It is
the first duty Of the state therefore, and con-
ducive to its highest interest to foster and de-
velop our system Of common schools. They are
the schools OF the people, and the burden of their
SUPPORT should be borne by all the people
equally, or as nearly practicable
There has been expended for the support of
schools for the past two years Sc. 122,O77. as
follows: